Betsy Wolfe, Golden West graduate and Broadway star, is set to return home for the first time in forever this summer. People (who aren’t better than reindeer) tend to love their hometowns — and for Wolfe, love is an open door.

The Visalia Education Foundation presents “An Evening with Betsy Wolfe” Saturday, Aug. 13, which will feature a performance from Wolfe as a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization that supports programs in arts and sciences for students of the Visalia Unified School District.

Appropriately for a Central Valley native, Wolfe made her Broadway debut in 2007 in “110 in the Shade.” Since then, she had a featured role in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and starred in Woody Allen’s “Bullets over Broadway” on Broadway in 2014.

This fall, Wolfe is set to return to Broadway in “Falsettos,” a revival of a Broadway hit in which Betsy will play Cordelia. And she has most recently been connected to the starring role in the upcoming Broadway production of “Frozen.”

Betsy Wolfe sings to a dinner crowd in 2000 at Fugazzi's on Main Street in Visalia.(Photo: Ron Holman)

Choices recently spoke to Wolfe about school, Broadway, and her upcoming hometown performance.

Question: How did the benefit concert for the Visalia Education Foundation come about?

Answer: Susan Mathews, a dear family friend who also was my Green Acres Middle School drama teacher contacted me at the perfect time. It’s been a year and a half since I’ve come to Visalia to do a benefit concert and I didn’t need much convincing with the Visalia Education Foundation. I’m thrilled to be a part of this event.

Question: Was there a certain program in school that you think helped or influenced you to pursue your career path?

Answer: Visalia was truly where it all started. I loved watching my sister, Katie, perform and decided to jump in myself. Before I knew it, I was hooked not only on performing but being part of a creative community. Early on I was fortunate to work alongside so many theater enthusiasts who had an infectious joy for the arts. I’m still connected with many of them and it brings me joy to see [that] years later they’re still working in an artistic capacity in Visalia. It really shows their enduring commitment and passion. There're so many dear ones here, and they know who they are!

Question: You’ve been (or will be) involved in a couple of productions with songs from Robert and Kristen Lopez. Did you work much with them directly? Were you fans of their work beforehand? [The creative forces (or co-forces) behind “Avenue Q” and “The Book of Mormon,” the Lopezes are immensely successful and hilariously controversial Broadway shows. “Avenue Q” features puppets and fake versions of real people learning lessons about racism, pornography and the all-too-real horrors of being an adult with a degree in English. “Book of Mormon,” co-created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of “South Park” fame, is a send-up of all thing Latter-Day Saint and won nine Tony Awards. The Lopezes are also working on “Frozen.”]

Betsy Wolfe in a scene from “Up Here” at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego.(Photo: Submitted)

Answer: I saw “Avenue Q” on Broadway soon after I moved to New York and thought it was truly unique and brilliant. I hadn’t seen anything like it. I remember saying I have to work with this creative team. About two years later I ended up working with the director, music director and bookwriter for “Avenue Q.” Pretty much the whole team but Bobby so I was incredibly flattered and equally surprised when years later Bobby and Kristen asked me to be the lead in their show they co-wrote. They wrote saying they were fans of my work and I remember just being elated. I premiered their show “Up Here” at La Jolla Playhouse last summer, and that was the beginning of our relationship. They’re obviously gifted writers but even more important they were incredibly supportive collaborators. Being in the room with them reminds me of why I chose to pursue theater in the first place. They are the real deal in what can be a crazy business.

Question: When developing the role of Elsa for “Frozen” next year, how is it to play a character that already has the built-in fan base and universal love that she has? [You may not know about this small little indie film called “Frozen,” but it came out in 2013 and won some Oscars, a Golden Globe, nearly 100 other awards and grossed $1.2 billion worldwide. It has also become a cultural phenomenon and, last time I went to Disneyland almost everyone there was dressed like the protagonist, Elsa.]

Answer: Anytime you get to play a character with a built-in fan base it is really exciting. This spring I played Elsa in the first lab developmental production for “Frozen the Musical.” It was an empowering and interesting first look at bringing Elsa to life onstage. Obviously, because this show is in the early stages, I am still exploring. You never want to come to any role however well known with too many preconceptions. As things progress organically, you really have to figure out who the character is through the rehearsal and developmental process. I grew up watching Disney movies, so I also know why Elsa specifically garners universal love. She’s uniquely different. She’s an outcast who struggles to find her place in the world. There’s a bit of her in all of us.

Question: You’re opening “Falsettos” this fall. How exciting is it to be just a few months out from opening? And is Andrew Rannells [Betsy’s “Falsettos” co-star and a Tony Award-nominee for “The Book of Mormon.” He steals every scene on the amazing HBO show “Girls” and took over for Neil Patrick Harris as the titular character for a stint on Broadway’s “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” in 2014. He’s just wonderful. This is an objective journalistic fact] actually the most charming human ever, like he seems on stage and screen?

Answer: Andrew Rannells is pretty darn charming! No denying that. He and I recently saw each other, and we squealed with excitement about getting to be part of such a beloved revival. Somebody tweeted to me the other day a picture of their printed ticket and all I could think was “How are they printing tickets, we haven’t even started rehearsals!!?!” I’m ready to dive in for sure! I start the day after I get back to New York.

Question: Any hints you give about the Visalia performance’s song list?

Answer: I always try to sneak in some new tunes that people might not know along with favorites and this concert will be no exception. I have a niece and nephew coming, and many of my friends have kids so it will definitely appeal to a variety of ages. I don’t want to give too much away, but I have been given special permission to sing the coolest song that was actually cut from "Frozen." I’m beyond lucky to have Andrew Resnick, my musical director on board for this concert. He recently finished conducting The “King and I” on Broadway. I’m singing a handful of the songs I recently sang at my Carnegie Hall concert, so I’m excited to share some of those memories and I have a handful of other surprises up my sleeve.

How to Attend

What: “An Evening with Betsy Wolfe”

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Where: L.J. Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia.

Tickets: Tickets are $25, $35 an $45. Sponsorships and VIP tickets are available. Tickets are available online at www.visaliaedfoundation.com, in person at the Fox Theatre box office or by calling 730-7518.